Lounge Pompadour
The President sometimes gives audiences in this salon, and on exceptional occasions, luncheons or dinners are held here. Known as the Chambre de Parade des Propriétaires (Owners' receiving chamber) in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Salon Pompadour has undergone numerous alterations.
Originally, the room had a large rectangular alcove, but Madame de Pompadour decided to make it semicircular. Under Murat, the alcove was shrunk to the size of a simple niche, to make room for the grand staircase. As with the other salons, the "chambre de parade" underwent various alterations as new doors were opened in the walls under the Second Empire. The niche finally disappeared altogether under the Fourth Republic to allow for the installation of lifts for the cloakrooms.
Against the west wall stands a Louis XV commode in kingwood marquetry, bearing a white marble bust of Madame de Pompadour attributed to Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1759). The Louis XV suite of giltwood furniture, consisting of sofa and armchairs with violin-shaped backs and curved legs, is covered with blue and gold lampas (brocade) decorated with tropical fruit motifs.
Virtual visit
Visit the room (240 Ko - requires QuickTime VR plug-in)
or the java version without a plug-in.